Visit The Golden Temple at Amritsar, India

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The Harmindir Sahib, or Golden Temple as it is widely known, was built between 1581 and 1604, although much of the decorative gilding and marblework that adorns the temple today dates from the early 1800s.

It is located in the city of Amritsar in the Punjab region of India. Trains are a great way to get around India and most major cities connect to Amritsar via rail - The Shatabdi Express takes around five hours to reach Amritsar from Delhi. Alternatively, you can fly directly to Amritsar from London and Birmingham.

The Golden Temple is a short rickshaw ride from the centre of Amritsar and the complex is open from 6am to 2am seven days a week. Indeed it is well worth visiting duruing the day and then again at night when the Golden Temple is beautifully lit.

A lake surrounds the Golden Temple and sections are set aside for male pilgrims to bathe in its holy waters.

Although it attracts thousands of visitors every day, The Golden Temple is first and foremost a religious site and should be respected as such. You will need to remove your shoes and bathe your feet before entering the temple and will be required to cover your head as a mark of respect (buy a bandana from one of the many sellers or help yourself to a free one at the entrance).

You are not permitted to smoke or drink alcohol anywhere within eyesight of the temple or in the grounds of the temple complex. Respect these basic traditions and you will be made very welcome. Indeed, where else in the world will you be offered a free meal and even somewhere free to stay for the night? The Golden Temple provides free dal, chapatis and rice to anyone who visits and even basic overnight accommodation for those who might not be able to afford to pay for uit in Amritsar.

The best time to visit Amritsar is between October and March and the temple itself is quitest in the morning at weekends.

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